Cahill, Everton strike five-year deal

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Everton's Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill has ended his stand-off
with the Merseyside club by signing a five-year deal to stay at
Goodison  giving manager David Moyes a huge lift just days
before it kicks off its Premier League campaign with a clash
against Manchester United.

Cahill and Everton are also bidding to qualify for the lucrative
group stages of the Champions League, with the first of their two
matches against Spanish club Villarreal taking place overnight.

The dynamic Sydneysider signed for Everton from Millwall a year
ago, and made such an impression in his debut season that Moyes and
Everton's management were keen to secure him on a long-term
contract.

Cahill initially rejected the deal, but has now agreed to an
improved offer.

"All the talk that has been going on hasn't helped but we knew
we would come to a resolution," Cahill told the club's official
website.

"It was just a matter of sitting down with the gaffer and club
properly. It is done now and I am happy and all I can say it is
another dream come true, another five years at the club I love and
at the one that gave me my chance."

After months of brinkmanship and negotiations, Manchester
United's England centre-half Rio Ferdinand has agreed terms to
remain at Old Trafford.